# Rockies

/ˈɹɑkiz/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rockies
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. mountain range

noun · CEFR B1

The common name for the Rocky Mountains in North America.

For teachers: The Rocky Mountains; a major mountain system of western North America extending from British Columbia to New Mexico. Always used with the definite article 'the'.

- We spent our summer holiday hiking in the Rockies.
- The Rockies stretch more than 3,000 miles, providing a dramatic geographical divide between the Great Plains and the Pacific coast.

Usage: Always used with the definite article 'the' and treated as a plural noun.

Teaching tip: This is the standard informal name for the range; in academic or formal geography, 'the Rocky Mountains' is preferred.

## Examples

- We are planning a hiking trip to the Rockies this summer.
- The Rockies stretch across several states, providing a natural habitat for grizzly bears and elk.
- The geological formation of the Rockies resulted from a series of tectonic plate collisions that pushed the earth's crust upward millions of years ago.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.